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Weeds invading lawn

16 years ago

I need some help with my lawn that is being taken over by weeds. This is my first home and do not have very much experience with lawn care at all. I would like to implement some sort of weed killer (any recommendations)that will not kill my grass. I have st. augustine grass being takin over by numerous different weeds (have no clue what any of them are called). I would also like a good suggestion on what type of fertilizer to use and how often I should use it to insure a nice healthy looking lawn. Also, if anybody has any suggestions about how to get rid of fire ants that would be awsome but their is one problem I have 3 dogs that love to be outside. I am concerned about using certain products because of them.

Thanks alot,

Jeremy

Comments (2)

davidandkasie
16 years ago
are you wanting to go organic or chemical for the weed control? what type weeds do you have? what you have determines what you use.

as far as the fire ants, amdro is the best thing to use to eradicate them. if you don't want the dogs getting into it, place a 5 gallon bucket upside down over the mound for a couple days until the ants are dead. then wash away the amdro. movce on to the next mound. you may need to place something heavy onthe bucket to keep the dogs from knocking it over.
another way to deal with fireants is to move them. simply flood and KEEP flooding the mound until they move. only problem is you have no control on where they move to! just keep running the water hose on them and they will keep movign until they are your neighbor's problem!
bestlawn
16 years ago
Snow, I hope you're still here with us. Sorry it took so long for anyone to respond. I, for one, normally try to avoid questions from the southern folks because I don't know much about those types of lawn grasses. In reading your questions, I see I could have tried to answer yesterday. It's possible several other cool season folks also avoid warm season questions waiting for those more knowledgeable. I'm glad davidandkasie tried to help you out and hope you didn't lose patience with us.

As mentioned, the types of weeds you have determine the treatment. You can post pictures for us to try to identify, but the best idea is to take samples to your nearest cooperative extension service for positive identification. Or, you can try to identify them yourself here or here.

You must be careful of the herbicide you use. There are some that will damage St. Augustine, and there are some labeled for certain varieties of St. Augustine. You'll have to carefully read the labels and will have to know what variety of St. Augustine you have.

The above sounds like a damaging amount of water, I must say. Store-bought molasses will take care of the fire ants. Just a bottle off the market shelf (unsulfered, the kind you eat) applied with a hose end sprayer.
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